Welcome to the AC Tropical Fish aquarium forum. Our aquarium forum is the place to discuss any aquarium related issue in a friendly environment. Our aquarium forum welcomes aquarists of all levels from beginners to experts. Please ask a question in the how to section of our forum or read the FAQ section if you have any questions. register to and become a part of our friendly aquarium forum community today.

Eco complete is awesome I have in most of my tanks. I don't like sand much. I have sand with my Oscar and Goldfish (seperate tanks, calm down peeps lol). They loves it but I keep I keep syphoning it out. Tahiti moon sand for goldies tank, and regular sand for Oscar tank. Sand is good at keeping waste on surface for easy clean up.

Sounds cool Boundava, a long time ago my step mother had a goldfish named Fred, i think it was a fantail but have no idea as it was forever ago lol. I'm planning on doing a shrimp tank(10g) at the same time as my 50g and next year early spring i am gonna do a 150g african cichlid tank... so fingers crossed with my first one lol, i know everything will go ok thanks to the advice here.

SueD yeah i have seen those plastic dividers and also have seen it done with rock... think i will do it with rock if i can get away with it.

Is this the one:
'Super Naturals Tahitian Moon Aquarium Sand'
that you'd not recommend, please?

The one I have Instant Aquarium, but they are both by the same brand Carib Sea. They might be the same thing or at least same line. It's a beautiful substrate to look at but it so easy to syphon out that eventually I won't have any left in the tank lol.

Is this the one:
'Super Naturals Tahitian Moon Aquarium Sand'
that you'd not recommend, please?

Yes, but the one I used was the "instant Aquarium Tahitian moon sand" almost the same thing and Super Naturals (which is sold dry)-just this one is pre-rinsed and sold in a liquid that is supposed to aid in cycling and provide beneficial "stuff" for your aquarium.

Instant Aquarium offers a variety of finer grade natural gravels and sands water packed with living, water-purifying bacteria, state of the art clarifier, and a complete water conditioner. Tap water is all you need to get started. Instant Aquarium™ immediately begins the cycling process, eliminating new tank syndrome, and discouraging nuisance algaes. Instant Aquarium™ detoxifies metals, eliminates ammonia, neutralizes chlorine and chloramines, and provides a protective slime coat for stressed fish. Instant Aquarium™ also reduces nitrates and nitrites. Starting a new aquarium has never been easier.

The one I have Instant Aquarium, but they are both by the same brand Carib Sea. They might be the same thing or at least same line. It's a beautiful substrate to look at but it so easy to syphon out that eventually I won't have any left in the tank lol.

Originally Posted by Boundava

Yes, but the one I used was the "instant Aquarium Tahitian moon sand" almost the same thing and Super Naturals (which is sold dry)-just this one is pre-rinsed and sold in a liquid that is supposed to aid in cycling and provide beneficial "stuff" for your aquarium.

Instant Aquarium is "wet":
Super Naturals is dry:
Both are sold from Carib Sea and come in the Tahitian Moon black sand (which is really pretty, but does get sucked up pretty easily in my python when I get too close).

Instant Aquarium is "wet":
Super Naturals is dry:
Both are sold from Carib Sea and come in the Tahitian Moon black sand (which is really pretty, but does get sucked up pretty easily in my python when I get too close).

Hope that helps...

And the "stuff" present in the Instant Ocean that aids in cycling a tank is not present in Super Naturals. There is different "stuff" present in the Eco Complete (also sold wet) that aids in plant growth, but not in tank cycling. This is also not present in the Super Naturals.

I found a really good site that builds aquariums at really reasonable prices. The only concern i have is getting it shipped. I really don't want to go through the hassle of returning a broken tank through a freight company.